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Dear Friends of the Fannie Lou Hamer Institute @ COFO,

This Fall 2016, we are excited to share good news with you. Over the past few months, the Fannie Lou Hamer Institute @ COFO has been working hard to continue to provide new exhibits, thought provoking lectures and public programming, and sustainable community relationships.

On Thursday, October 6, 2016, the Hamer Institute will partner with the Fannie Lou Hamer Memorial Garden and Museum Foundation in celebrating the 99th birthday of Fannie Lou Hamer in Ruleville, MS. Fannie Lou Hamer was a civil rights leader who was born and raised in Mississippi and was instrumental in forming the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party and leading the MFDP delegates to challenge the all-white Mississippi delegation at the 1964 National Convention held in Atlantic City. In recognition of this great civil rights icon, the Fannie Lou Hamer Institute @ COFO will begin celebrating and commemorating the centennial of Fannie Lou Hamer through a series of programming and exhibitions beginning in January 2017. Please stay tuned…

On Thursday, October 13, 2016 at 11:30 am., The Fannie Lou Hamer Institute@ COFO will host “Mississippi’s Spanish Heritage: Selected Writings, 1492-1798.” JSU instructor Esperanza Velásquez and MDOT archaeologist Lizbeth Velásquez will present “Mississippi’s Spanish Heritage: Selected Writings, 1492-1798.” This presentation will explore the Spanish encounter in Mississippi and how it left its mark. The presentation is co-sponsored by JSU’s Department of History & Philosophy and the Mississippi Hispanic Association in commemoration of Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15th – October 15th) and Archaeology Month (October). Free and open to the general public.

The Fannie Lou Hamer Pre-Law Society (The Society) is the service arm of the pre-law program and furthers student interest in the law through activities and events designed to educate and empower.

The Society introduced the Lecture Series events as a means by which students interested in attending law school could obtain practical knowledge and information directly from licensed, practicing attorneys. The members expressed particular interest in inviting speakers who are JSU and/or HBCU graduates and who may practice law in non-traditional settings. The bi-semester events are hosted pre-lunch time on Fridays and open to the entire JSU and Metro-Jackson legal communities.

The theme for the fall 2016 Lecture Series Event is Honoring Black Cultural Unity: From HBCU to Law School & Beyond. The Event speakers are Attorneys Johnnie McDaniels, Executive Director of the Henley-Young Juvenile Justice Center; Trent Walker, Civil and Criminal Litigator; and Amorya Orr, Forman Watkins & Krutz Law Firm with introductory comments by Hinds County Circuit Clerk Zack Wallace.

Wednesday, November 9, 2016 at 6:00 p.m., The Fannie Lou Hamer Institute @ COFO will host a film screening of “The 30th of May.” For over 100 years, the city of Natchez had two Memorial Day celebrations—one black and one white. By the mid-1990's, the white celebration faded away, while the black celebration known as the "30th of May" continued to march on. Virtually unknown outside of the region, this annual event is passed down from generation to generation giving evidence that the roots of patriotism run deep in the Mississippi River towns of Vidalia, Louisiana and Natchez, Mississippi.

Thursday November 10, 2016, at 6:00 p.m., The Fannie Lou Hamer Institute @ COFO will host a Parent Town Hall Discussion. Recently, the Mississippi Department of Education cited Jackson Public Schools for violating 22 of its 32 accreditation standards, including high school graduates not meeting state standards, numerous fights, late-running buses, unsafe buildings, unqualified teachers and a problem with disciplinary decisions by principals. In Jackson communities, violent crime is at 80 on a scale from 1 to 100. Property crime is at 81. What role can parents and community members play to become change agents for our communities? This Town Hall will be an open event for parents to discuss with Jackson Public School officials, City Administrators, and Law Enforcement how to alleviate the issues of our school districts and communities.

November 28, 2016, at 6:00pm – The Fannie Lou Hamer Institute @ COFO will host a forum: “Saving Our Girls.” This will be an event for middle and high school girls and their mothers. The panel for this discussion will be organizers, leaders and teachers that have a vested interest in helping young women become effective leaders, build a higher self-esteem and develop self-worth.

Jackson State University is designated as a "higher research activity" institution by the Carnegie Foundation.
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